Objective: The advantage of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) with a guide sheath (GS) over TBB without EBUS guidance was investigated in this study.
Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan. Data were collected from all cases of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) undergoing either EBUS-GS-guided TBB or TBB without EBUS guidance in our department from December 2003 through November 2009. The diagnostic yield in each group was compared, after adjustment for other factors.
Results: In total 110 PPLs were investigated in 102 patients: 65 (59.1%) were examined with EBUS-GS-guided TBB (EBUS-GS group) and 45 (40.9%) were TBB without EBUS guidance (non-EBUS group). Both procedures were performed under x-ray fluoroscopy. Basic characteristics were similar between the two groups. Of all EBUS examined lesions, 53 (81.5%) were visualized by EBUS. The diagnostic yields in EBUS-GS group and non-EBUS group were 64.6% and 46.7%, respectively (p=0.08). Adjusting for size and location of lesions, the yield of EBUS-GS guidance was 1.46 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 2.05) times higher than without EBUS guidance. When the lesion was visualized by EBUS, the diagnostic yield ratio was further increased to 1.63 (95% CI 1.16 to 2.27).
Conclusion: EBUS-GS-guided TBB demonstrates a higher diagnostic yield than TBB without EBUS guidance.